US6384086B1 - Ethene containing solutions and use thereof in methods of therapy or prophylaxis - Google Patents

Ethene containing solutions and use thereof in methods of therapy or prophylaxis Download PDF

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US6384086B1
US6384086B1 US09/190,165 US19016598A US6384086B1 US 6384086 B1 US6384086 B1 US 6384086B1 US 19016598 A US19016598 A US 19016598A US 6384086 B1 US6384086 B1 US 6384086B1
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ethene
host
liquid
solution
therapy
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Warwick Murrow Jameson
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/01—Hydrocarbons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P3/00—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
    • A61P31/12—Antivirals
    • A61P31/14—Antivirals for RNA viruses
    • A61P31/18—Antivirals for RNA viruses for HIV
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
    • A61P31/12—Antivirals
    • A61P31/20—Antivirals for DNA viruses
    • A61P31/22—Antivirals for DNA viruses for herpes viruses
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P37/00—Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P37/00—Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
    • A61P37/02—Immunomodulators
    • A61P37/04—Immunostimulants

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to ethene containing solutions and to the use thereof in methods of therapy or prophylaxis.
  • ethene may react with other components in a liquid resulting in one or more of, a reduction in the amount of ethene in solution, alteration in the pH of the solution or the production of undesirable reaction products.
  • the applicant has surprisingly found that ethene in solution may be reduced by 50% for example by reaction with such components.
  • the applicant has found such reactions entirely unanticipated and at variance with the disclosure of WO 95/17214.
  • These components may comprise ions, for example H+ and OH ⁇ ions, calcium ions, or other impurities such as microscopic plant matter, calcium solids, or entrained gases, for example, air, oxygen or chlorine.
  • ions for example H+ and OH ⁇ ions
  • calcium ions or other impurities such as microscopic plant matter, calcium solids, or entrained gases, for example, air, oxygen or chlorine.
  • one reaction may be between hydroxy ions and ethene forming 2-hydroxy ethene.
  • oxygen entrained in an ethene containing solution may also react with ultra violet light, or even neon light to produce ozone which subsequently reacts with ethene to produce ethylene oxide.
  • a carcinogen such as ethylene oxide greatly reduces the utility of the ethene containing liquid for consumption.
  • all of these reactions may reduce the amount of ethene solubilized in the liquid.
  • ethene added to a suitable liquid in this case water of a potable standard containing components giving a conductivity of 148 micromhos (reciprocal megohms) per centimetre, reacted to give a rise in pH which may continue over days and months of storage.
  • a suitable liquid in this case water of a potable standard containing components giving a conductivity of 148 micromhos (reciprocal megohms) per centimetre
  • a lack of storage stability is particularly disadvantageous for this ethene product if it is to be involved in lengthy transport operations, or where an extended shelf life is desirable.
  • an ethene containing solution exhibiting usefully increased chemical and storage stability can be produced by solubilizing ethene in a reactivity reduced liquid.
  • the solution produced is useful as a tonic.
  • ethene containing solutions may not have a direct sterilizing/inhibiting effect against a number of micro-organisms in vitro.
  • Some examples of micro-organisms found by the applicant not to be sterilized in vitro by solubilized ethene are: Influenza A (H3N2), Poliovirus type 1 (Sabin) and Herpes simplex virus.
  • H3N2 Influenza A
  • Poliovirus type 1 Poliovirus type 1
  • Herpes simplex virus Herpes simplex virus.
  • eight bacterial strains representing four bacterial genera (Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Enterococcus) of important human pathogens were tested in vitro without apparent sterilizing success.
  • ethene may provide prophylactic and/or therapeutic effects in vivo in hosts to which the ethene is administered.
  • a micro-organism such as Herpes simplex which ethene does not inhibit or sterilize in vitro.
  • an ethene induced micro-organism sterilizing/inhibiting effect may be observed in a host, even though the micro-organism(s) within that host may not be directly ethene labile.
  • a useful metabolic role of ethene in man is the same as its useful metabolic role in plants, that of a primary immunogen. It is upon this entirely unexpected finding that this invention is also partly based.
  • the present invention can be said to broadly consist in a storage stable solution comprising ethene solubilized in a suitable liquid.
  • the storage stable solution is preferably a tonic solution comprising ethene solubilized in a reactivity reduced liquid.
  • the liquid is purified.
  • the liquid is a deionized liquid.
  • the present invention provides a method for improving metabolic function in a host which method involves administering to the host an effective amount of a storage stable solution of the invention.
  • the present invention provides a method for prophylaxis and/or therapy for the treatment of diseases or infections in a host by exerting a direct antimicrobial effect, and which involves the step of administering to the host an effective amount of a storage stable solution of the invention.
  • the present invention provides the use of a storage stable solution of the invention in the preparation of a medicament for use in prophylaxis and/or therapy against microbial infection, whereby the medicament exerts a direct antimicrobial effect.
  • the present invention can be said to broadly consist in a method for prophylaxis and/or therapy for the treatment of diseases or infections in a host other than through exerting a direct antimicrobial effect and which involves the step of administering to the host an effective amount of ethene.
  • the invention provides a method of improving metabolic function in a host which method involves the step of administering to the host an effective amount of ethene, and provided that the improved metabolic function is achieved other than through exerting a direct antimicrobial effect
  • the present invention provides a method of priming and/or causing a host to mount a protective response, more particularly a protective immune response, against disease or infective micro-organisms and which involves the step of administering to the host an effective amount of ethene.
  • the invention provides a method of administering ethene to a host wherein the ethene provides an indirect sterilizing or micro-organism inhibiting effect, such effect being prophylactic and/or therapeutic and such effect being caused by host systemic factors, for example, T-lymphocytes, or leukocytes potentiated in the host by the administration of ethene.
  • host systemic factors for example, T-lymphocytes, or leukocytes potentiated in the host by the administration of ethene.
  • the present invention may provide a method of therapy and/or prophylaxis against microbial infection in a host which comprises the steps of:
  • the host is preferably human but may be animal.
  • the immune response induced by the administration of ethene is a humoral response.
  • ethene causes the production of systemic factors, for example in cases of HIV infection, cells involved in mounting a humoral immune response to be increased.
  • the administration of ethene may cause the population of CD4 T-lymphocytes to increase, remain stable or decrease at a slower rate than would otherwise be the case without the administration of ethene.
  • the host protective response engendered through the administration of ethene may also be a healing effect in damaged tissue of the host involved in mounting an immune response, for example liver tissue or lymphatic tissue, and thus enable such tissues to function to better general, metabolic and immunological effect.
  • the micro-organism against which the therapeutic effect is to be mounted is HIV.
  • the therapeutic effect may be directed at other micro-organisms as well for example, Herpes simplex, or micro-organisms involved in Hepatitis or Glandular fever infection. More preferably, but not essentially, the therapeutic administration of ethene may be in combination or conjunction with other antimicrobial substances, for example Zidovudine (AZT), or antibiotics such as Penicillin.
  • ZAT Zidovudine
  • Penicillin a particularly preferred but not limiting embodiment of the indirect methods.
  • ethene is required to be administered for indirect effects it is conveniently provided in the form of a composition containing ethene solubilized in a suitable liquid such as water. Most desirably, ethene is more suitably administered in the form of the storage stable solution of the invention.
  • the present invention provides the use of ethene in the preparation of a medicament for use in prophylaxis and/or therapy against microbial infection, whereby the medicament induces an indirect antimicrobial effect through an ability to prime and/or cause the host to mount a protective response, particularly a protective immune response, against infection.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the effect of the administration of ethene to individuals infected with HIV/AIDS.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the comparative effects of the administration of ethene and interferon on an individual infected with Hepatitis C.
  • the first basic finding is that an ethene containing solution which exhibits enhanced chemical and storage stability can be produced by solubilizing ethene in a suitable liquid.
  • ethene more preferably solubilized ethene, as a micro-organism sterilant/inhibitor, may produce a micro-organism sterilizing and/or inhibiting effect in a host even if the particular micro-organism is not directly ethene labile.
  • ethene is capable of inducing a host response, the products of which may have the effect of acting against a disease and/or infective micro-organism in a sterilizing and/or inhibiting manner.
  • Ethene therefore has application in methods of prophylaxis and/or therapy against micro-organisms and/or diseases.
  • the applicant means a product which produces a useful metabolic effect (excluding general anaesthesia) in a host animal administered same.
  • micro-organism or the like is used herein in a broad sense by the applicant to mean bacterial, viral and fungal disease causing infective agents and their metabolites as well as infective particles such as viral RNA.
  • the applicant means a liquid part removed of ions or, or liquid having a level of ionisation suitable for use in producing a storage stable solution of the invention.
  • the applicant means a liquid treated to usefully remove or reduce its ion content.
  • the ratio of ions present in the treated liquid relative to the same liquid prior to treatment is 5:10, preferably less than 2.5:10 more preferably less than 1:10 and most preferably 3:1,000,000 or lower.
  • ionisation levels are preferably determined in the liquids after removal of any entrained carbonic acid. Ionisation levels are preferably determined as milligrams per litre present in solution, but may be measured in terms of conductivity (micromhos/cm).
  • disease is used by the applicant in its classically broad sense of disturbance, including diseases caused by micro-organisms as well as diseases in which no micro-organism is involved such as cancer; injury, ailment, deformity, disorder or adverse condition of body or mind.
  • impurities refers to any component in a liquid that reacts with ethene, directly or indirectly, including ions.
  • the applicant means in one embodiment a liquid treated to usefully remove entrained impurities whereby up to fifty percent (50%), preferably at least seventy five percent (75%) and most preferably greater than ninety five percent (95%) of the impurities have been removed.
  • the applicant means a liquid having a relatively high degree of purity (or relatively low level of impurities) which can be used to provide a storage stable solution of the invention.
  • reactivity reduced liquid means a liquid that has been purified to an extent that such purification usefully inhibits the rate of decay of ethene added to the liquid.
  • the term also refers to a liquid, the viscosity of which has been increased to a level that usefully impedes the rate of decay of ethene added to the liquid.
  • the term includes a denatured liquid.
  • the first aspect of the present invention lies in a solution comprising ethene solubilized in a suitable liquid which is storage stable.
  • a solution comprising ethene solubilized in a suitable liquid which is storage stable.
  • This term will be readily understood by the art skilled worker. In a broad sense it refers to an ethene containing solution wherein the level of ethene remains relatively constant over a period of time. In one embodiment it refers generally to an ethene containing solution with storage stability superior to results previously achieved. In another embodiment it refers to an ethene containing solution wherein the level of ethene does not change significantly over a period of one month. Preferably, a solution wherein there is no significant change in ethene levels over six months, and more preferably over twelve months.
  • the liquid employed in the solution may be any liquid suitable for providing the requisite storage stability. This may include any liquids with levels of conductivity, purification, or ionisation which can be used to provide a storage stable solution of the invention.
  • the storage stable solution is a solution comprising ethene solubilized in a reactivity reduced liquid, preferably a purified liquid, and most desirably a deionised liquid such as are known in the art or otherwise defined herein.
  • a further aspect of the present invention lies in a tonic solution comprising ethene solubilized in a reactivity reduced liquid.
  • the applicant has surprisingly found that undesirable chemical reactions associated with decay of ethene in a liquid, and the tendency for ethene to undergo reactions over time in a liquid, may be substantially limited by solubilizing ethene in a reactivity reduced liquid.
  • the reactivity reduced liquid is a purified liquid, and most desirably is a deionised liquid.
  • a reactivity reduced liquid may be produced in a number of ways. It is well recognised that ionic mobility is inversely proportional to the viscosity of a medium (Waldren's Law). It follows that the chemical and/or storage stability of a solubilized ethene solution can be further enhanced by increasing its viscosity. The applicant has surprisingly found that this law may be usefully applied to liquids for use in producing ethene solutions by the inclusion of substances in the liquids to increase the liquids viscosity. Any suitable substance capable of increasing the liquids viscosity may suffice. Sugar is particularly preferred by reason of flavour and its non-electrolytic property, that is, sugar does not dissociate into ions that may react with ethene or other ions in solution.
  • Any suitable sugar may be used. However, glucose and/or sucrose are preferred.
  • the amount of sugar per litre of liquid solution may be adjusted to suit any particular circumstance in respect of desired flavour and/or inhibition of ionic reaction required in the liquid.
  • Sugars and in particular refined sucrose on average may contain impurities and ionic material in a ratio 1:1000 of sugar by weight so therefore should preferably be further purified and/or deionised prior to use in the storage stable solution. It is also preferred that the liquid so prepared be sterilized, according to methods known in the art, prior to addition of ethene.
  • a suitable sterilisation technique is UV radiation.
  • the reactivity reduced liquid may be produced by increasing the purification of the liquid. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the reactivity reduced liquid is a purified liquid.
  • a purified liquid may be produced by subjecting a selected liquid to purification processes known in the art such as filtration, centrifugation, sedimentation, flocculation, distillation, degassing and/or deionization by anion and cation exchange.
  • purification processes known in the art such as filtration, centrifugation, sedimentation, flocculation, distillation, degassing and/or deionization by anion and cation exchange.
  • Pre-prepared liquids with a relatively high level of purity (or relatively low level of impurities) suitable for use in producing a storage stable solution of the invention may be used.
  • Ionisation may be measured by the conductivity of the liquid.
  • Liquids preferred for use will generally have a conductivity, of less than 50 and preferably less than 15 and most preferably 3 micromhos/cm or less. The applicant has found that the reactivity of ethene upon addition to the liquid reduces proportionately with the reduction of the liquids conductivity. Most liquids contain carbonic acid which affect determination of ionisation levels. For accuracy of results, it is therefore desirable to remove any carbonic acid present in the liquid before determining ionisation levels.
  • the reactivity reduced liquid used in the invention is a deionised liquid.
  • Deionisation may be effected by passing the liquid through cation and anion exchange mediums such as are known in the art. Ion exchange resins are presently preferred for use.
  • a usefully deionized liquid is one where the ion content is reduced below the weight in milligrams of the level of ethene to be added to the liquid on a mg per mg basis.
  • Liquids suitable for use in the production of the storage stable solution of the present invention are many and varied. For example, soft drinks, juice, cordials, wine or water could be used.
  • liquids are generally purified and/or deionised prior to use in the preparation of the storage stable solution of the invention. Suitable pre-prepared liquids may also be employed.
  • liquid be sterilized, according to methods known in the art, prior to the addition of ethene.
  • a suitable sterilization technique is UV radiation.
  • the liquid presently preferred for use is water, and most preferably purified water.
  • the conductivity of the water is reduced from a conductivity of 148 micromhos/cm to 3 micromhos/cm or less. A reduction in conductivity of this magnitude provides a liquid which is very substantially reactivity reduced. The applicant has found that little if any chemical reaction occurs upon the addition of ethene to such deionized water.
  • such water should generally have an ion content of, or less than 1260 milligrams per litre (mg/L), more preferably less than 500 mg/L and most preferably less than 14 mg/L at 10 degrees celsius at atmospheric pressure.
  • the gases may be entrained in the liquid using procedures well known in the art. Particularly suitable is entrainment using a proprietary gas to liquid saturator such as are commonly used for the production of carbonated soft drinks but any suitable gas to liquid saturating device is envisaged for use.
  • a carbon dioxide/ethene gas mix may even be frozen then introduced into a liquid to infuse into solution without resort to the use of a gas to liquid saturating device.
  • ethene is preferably compounded with another gas or gases to provide a gaseous compound more soluble than ethene but less soluble than the admixture gas or gases.
  • a suitable admixture gas to provide the compound is preferably carbon dioxide in a ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 vol/vol to ethene.
  • any compound formulation suitable for the technical purposes of the invention and applications for the tonic solution may be used.
  • the baffle should be placed in the gas line as close as practicable to the point where the compound is to be solubilized. Any conventional baffles suitable for this purpose may be used. A chamber filled with glass beads is particularly suitable.
  • flavouring and/or colouring agent(s) in the ethene containing solution can significantly increase its potability.
  • the flavouring and/or colouring agent is preferably admixed with the selected suitable liquid prior to purifying and/or deionising the liquid and adding ethene.
  • flavouring agents suitable for this purpose may be employed.
  • Preferred flavouring agents include for example, sugar(s), mint, or lemon.
  • the storage stable solution may further comprise a dietary supplement.
  • dietary supplements include for example, vitamins, minerals, fatty acid(s) (oils), biotin, selenium and the like.
  • Vitamin C is particularly preferred. Apart from providing a useful dietary supplement, it may scavenge the undesirable reactant, oxygen, from the ethene/liquid solution. Vitamin C may also enhance the bio-availability of ethene within the consumer.
  • the storage stable solution may also comprise one or more additional active agents.
  • additional active agents may act to enhance the effect of the storage stable solution in an additive or synergistic manner. They may comprise compounds or substances that provide a useful metabolic, physiological, prophylactic and/or therapeutic effect. These may include anti-infective agents, other antimicrobially effective agents, pain relief preparations and organic extracts. Examples of these active agents include quinine, aspirin, caffeine, glucose or other sugars, interferons and tinctures (e.g. Echinacea).
  • the storage stable solution of the present invention produces a useful metabolic effect in a host animal to which it is administered.
  • the useful metabolic effect may comprise immune system enhancement, inhibition of, or reduction in levels of, undesirable microorganisms, or other prophylactic or therapeutic effects such as lowering of body temperature or lifting of depression. All of these useful effects may ultimately improve metabolic function in the host.
  • one metabolic effect which may be observed using the methods of the present invention, and which may provide for a therapeutic effect in a host with a high fever is a lowering of body temperature of the host. This may be particularly important in hosts running high fevers.
  • Another therapeutic effect which may be observed is the amelioration of lymphatic node swelling. Amelioration of the symptoms of wart virus and chicken pox infections have also been observed using the methods of the present invention. Anecdotal evidence from HIV and Hepatitis C trialists also suggests utility of ethene or ethene containing solutions of the invention in alleviating depression.
  • the present invention therefore provides a method of improving metabolic function in a host which method involves administering to the host an effective amount of the storage stable solution of the invention.
  • the solutions of the invention may find utility as detoxicators.
  • the ethene containing solution is primarily intended for use as a tonic for human consumption.
  • the storage stable solution exhibits is a direct antimicrobial effect on many micro-organisms. Therefore, in one embodiment the solution is a direct acting antimicrobial agent.
  • the utility of ethene containing liquids as direct acting antimicrobial agents is generally demonstrated in WO 95/17214 which is incorporated herein by reference. It may therefore be used as a sterilizing agent or surfactant for any of the purposes as set out in WO 95/17214.
  • the invention provides a method of prophylaxis and/or therapy for the treatment of diseases or infections in a host by exhibiting a direct antimicrobial effect, and which method comprises administering to the host an effective amount of a storage stable solution of the invention.
  • Micro-organisms which have shown themselves susceptible to direct antimicrobial action by the storage stable solution of the invention include viruses such as rhinoviruses, bacteria such as motile forms of bacillus and coccus, and fungi such as Candida albicans.
  • the storage stable solution is generally contemplated for oral consumption. Once consumed, the ethene from the solution may diffuse into the bloodstream via the intestinal tract. This may in turn stimulate the production of ethene from food material within the tract, or may stimulate bodily production of ethene.
  • the solution be formulated for administration by non-oral means such as intravenous administration. It is noted that ethene is more readily soluble in ethyl alcohol. Non-oral administration may be particularly suitable for patients who are unable to consume the solution.
  • Such a non-oral solution may comprise for example, ethene solubilized in deionised water and ethyl alcohol but not carbon dioxide.
  • a suitable formulation may be 950 ml deionised water, plus 50 ml ethyl alcohol, in total containing 150 ml vol/vol ethene.
  • Other suitable formulations may be readily produced by the art-skilled worker.
  • the storage stable solution may also be used in methods of therapy by itself or in combination and/or conjunction with other active agents as noted above. Sequential administration of the storage stable or tonic solution and other active agent(s) are specifically contemplated.
  • the solution will be administered in an amount sufficient to induce the desired metabolic, prophylactic or therapeutic effect.
  • all measures are calculated for average adult weights of 70 kilograms.
  • a particularly suitable amount of solution is an amount which provides for 300 millilitres of ethene gas to be absorbed into the host per dose per day. Lower amounts of, for example, 25 millilitres per day may also be employed. Daily dosage may be determined according to factors such as host weight and the clinical efficacy observable from any given dose amount.
  • the daily amount of solution may preferably be administered once a day. However, administration may be cumulative via multiple doses over the course of a day or even one dose over days. For example, for Glandular fever infection, a daily dose of 1 ⁇ 300 millilitres of ethene gas given over two days may suffice.
  • the period of time over which the solution is administered (i.e. the number of days) will be dependent on the nature of the effect to be achieved, or infection or disease against which prophylaxis and/or therapy is desired. Intermittent dosing regimes may also be employed, for example day on day off, week on week off, or month on month off.
  • the dosage amount and treatment regime will be formulated to provide any desired clinical efficacy. Variable dosage amounts and treatment regimes are therefore envisaged.
  • ethene also has applications in: methods of therapy and/or prophylaxis for the treatment of diseases or infections in a host, or improving metabolic function, other than through exerting a direct antimicrobial effect; methods of priming and/or causing a host to mount a protective response, more particularly a protective immune response against disease or infective micro-organisms; methods of administering ethene to a host wherein the ethene provides an indirect sterilizing or micro-organism inhibiting effect, such effect being prophylactic and/or therapeutic and such effect being caused by host systemic factors, for example, T-lymphocytes or leukocytes, potentiated in the host by the administration of ethene; and methods of therapy and/or prophylaxis against microbial infection in a host which comprises the steps of:
  • the essential step of these latter aspects of the applicants invention is the administration of ethene to a host in need of metabolic, prophylactic or therapeutic treatment.
  • the ethene may be administered in any convenient form.
  • the ethene is administered in the form of a composition in which ethene is solubilized in any suitable liquid such as water.
  • a composition containing ethene in water, as taught in WO 95/17214, may be suitable.
  • a storage stable solution of the present invention is particularly acceptable by reason of enhanced stability and/or purity in comparison to a solution comprising a non-purified liquid.
  • the ethene could be administered directly to the host via inhalation, preferably in admixture with another gas.
  • a quantity of 5.6% or less of ethene in air may be used but the air may be replaced with other suitable gases or gas such as oxygen.
  • Any convenient route of administration may be used, aspiration via the lungs being one example.
  • Absorption into the recipient may be calculated on the basis that the average maximal inhalation absorption rate for an adult human is 25 litres of ethene gas per hour and that the ventilation rate of the adult lungs is on average 450 litres per hour. Dosage rates may therefore be readily calculated on a time/ethene concentration/ventilation rate basis.
  • aspiration of ethene is a less preferred method of administration.
  • the ethene will be administered in an amount sufficient to induce the desired metabolic, protective or immune response.
  • all measures are calculated for average adult weights of 70 kilograms.
  • a particularly suitable amount is 300 millilitres of gas absorbed into the host per day, but lower amounts for example 25 millilitres per day, may be employed.
  • Daily dosage will need determination according to factors such as host weight and the clinical efficacy observable from any given dose amount.
  • the daily amount of ethene may be administered/ once daily and this is in fact preferred when a composition as described in WO 95/17214 or a solution of the present invention is used. However, the administration may be cumulative via multiple doses over the course of a day or even one dose over days.
  • the period of time over which the ethene is administered (i.e. the number of days) will be dependent on the result to be achieved and/or the nature of the infection or disease against which the prophylaxis and/or therapy is desired.
  • a treatment regimen may suitably consist of 42 days at 300 millilitres daily and may or may not be followed by a period of abstinence, for example 28 days, followed by a further ethene treatment regimen. In some circumstances, ethene may even be required to be administered daily for an indefinite period of time.
  • the applicant envisages a dosage amount and a treatment regimen will be formulated to provide any given clinical efficacy that may be desirable. Variable dosage amounts and treatment regimens are envisaged.
  • the ethene can be administered as the sole active agent or in combination and/or conjunction with other active agents.
  • the administration of ethene in conjunction and/or in combination with one or more agents, for example AZT having direct anti-viral activity may be synergistic and may provide a therapeutic efficacy the sum total of which exceeds the combined sums of efficacy of the individual agents when used in monotherapy.
  • the ethene may act to enhance the effect of the agent having the direct antimicrobial activity. This enhanced effect may not only be increased antimicrobial efficacy but may include an ability to reduce toxicity to the host of any given active (including toxic) agent, for example AZT.
  • the ability of reactive ethene to reduce the toxicity in a host of another active agent may arise for example, by ethenes ability to trans-methylate methyl groups.
  • a methyl group is found in the active agent AZT.
  • Toxicity of methyl groups may be reduced or eliminated via a molecular chain lengthening action such as ethene may provide.
  • the ethene, or ethene containing solutions may have greater efficacy if applied from the onset of infection when the microorganism load is low. This may be particularly the case for HIV infection where the viral load is relatively low in the early stages, compared with terminal stages where the viral load is very high and the immune system deficient.
  • the prophylactic and/or therapeutic effect of ethene arises via the ability of ethene to induce in the host, the activation of, or an increased production of systemic factors involved in mounting an immune response, particularly those factors involved in mounting a humoral immune response.
  • An example of a cell population found to be increased is that of CD4 T-lymphocytes in humans.
  • Other factors include leukocytes such as basophils and neutrophils, phagocytes and enzymes such as alanine-aminotransferase.
  • microorganisms may be inhibited by the ethene reacting with ATP to deny that ATP to the microorganism thereby interfering with replication. Again, the applicant is however in no way bound by this theory.
  • the CD4 T-lymphocyte count was used as a marker, any increase in cell count or slowing of rate of loss being evidential of utility.
  • composition was prepared using sterile filtered and dechlorinated water which was then chilled to 3° C. and passed through a carbonator, containing ethene and an admixture of carbon dioxide, to effect an absorption of ethene into the liquid of about 40% ethene gas by volume to liquid at ordinary atmospheric pressure. This composition was then packaged into 745 millilitre bottles giving 300 miuilitres of ethene per bottle vol/vol liquid.
  • cell counts are given as cells per microlitre of blood, often expressed as mm 3 .
  • Trialist “Tom” consumed one bottle daily for four weeks during which time an apparent (3.6%) slow-down in CD4 cell rate of decline was observed.
  • the therapy he gained 2 kilograms in weight
  • Six weeks later he undertook another two week course of consumption.
  • his CD4 cell count rose by 20 per mm 3 and he gained a further 2 kilograms in weight. This recovery indicated a complete reversal of CD4 cell loss into a substantial gain.
  • Trialist “Ian” consumed one bottle daily for an unbroken six week period. During this time there was no decline in his CD4 cell count which is indicative of loss stabilisation. In the eight week period following, his CD4 cell count increased by a count of 20.
  • FIG. 1 graphs the progress of the trialists and shows the immune response in respect of CD4 T-lymphocyte recovery and/or a decline in loss rate as examples of the utility of the invention.
  • the therapies (if any) undertaken by the trialists are shown as:
  • a trial was undertaken on a Hepatitis C (genotype unknown) sufferer.
  • a daily dose of230 millilitres of ethene gas was solubilized into 745 millilitres of purified water without an admixture of carbon dioxide.
  • ALT Alanine-aminotransferase
  • FIG. 2 charts the progress of the therapy in comparison to an earlier interferon therapy (9 million IU weekly) undertaken by the trialist.
  • ethene in this example reduced the ALT count by 153 u/l compared to interferons 35 u/l over the same 16 week trial period.
  • ethene provided an anti-Hepatitis C efficacy 337% better than the interferon therapy. This example further demonstrates the utility of the invention.
  • This example demonstrates the observable effect of consumption of the tonic in lowering body temperature.
  • the volunteers temperature was stable at 37.2° C. for the 5 minutes prior to the test beginning and the room was maintained at 25° C.
  • the following body temperature changes were observed:
  • This example demonstrates that removal of impurities including ions from a suitable liquid (in this example potable mains town supply water), provides a liquid that upon the addition of ethene, remains more chemically and storage stable compared to the same or a similar solution prepared using the impure mains water.
  • a suitable liquid in this example potable mains town supply water
  • high purity mains water supply water (the raw water) having a conductivity of 148 micromhos per centimetre at 20 degrees celsius, a pH of 7.2 and a pH of 7.6 after carbon dioxide removal by boiling.
  • the conductivity indicates a high ion content whilst the pH indicates an excess of hydroxyl ions.
  • a suitable liquid water
  • the water is passed through a sand filter containing suitably graded sand, to remove suspended material such as plant matter etc., then passed through a suitably sized and graded activated carbon filter to remove reactants such as chlorine.
  • the efficacy of the carbon filter should be regularly monitored with suitable reagents to ensure complete chlorine removal from the water.
  • sand and activated carbon filtering may deionise the water by about pH 1.1. If any additives such as flavouring agents are added, they may be added at this stage.
  • the water is then passed through a sheet or other suitable filter or filters which may or may not be positively charged.
  • a sequence of filters is used whereby the nominal retention rating starts at 8 microns and finishes at 0.2 microns.
  • the water is then passed through a mixed resin ion exchange bed to totally, insofar as is possible, remove any remaining excess ions.
  • Water exiting the ion exchange bed should be of neutral pH, that is, pH 7.0.
  • the conductivity of the water should then be less than 1 micromho per centimetre.
  • the purity of the water for any given conductivity will need to be determined by laboratory analysis. For example, carbonic acid break-through may raise the conductivity of the water but appears to have little if any reactant role in ethene solutions.
  • the water is preferably then filtered again starting from 1.2 down to 0.2 microns.
  • the water is then preferably degassed to remove reactants such as oxygen and air for example.
  • reactants such as oxygen and air for example.
  • the water is transferred into a suitably sized cylindrical conical stainless steel tank fitted with a stainless steel sintered element in its base.
  • the tank and its contents are pressurised with nitrogen gas to 2 atmospheres.
  • Nitrogen gas is introduced into the liquid via the sintered element, to pass through the liquid as fine bubbles which deoxygenate the liquid, then are vented to atmosphere via a pressure relief valve.
  • the vented gas may be recovered, purified and reused. Typically, such a method can reduce oxygen levels to 0.1 parts per million.
  • the liquid is then preferably sterilized with UV radiation. After this, the water is ready for the addition of ethene and/or other gases.
  • solutions of the invention produced by other than this process may contain microscopic sites upon which ethene may react and forming for example, unsightly polymeric flocs, thereby seriously reducing the solutions stability and industrial acceptability.
  • the storage stable solutions of the invention may find wide application in the inhibition or elimination of micro-organisms in liquids. More specifically, the invention provides tonic solutions for human use.
  • the use may be in methods of therapy and/or prophylaxis as a directly active antimicrobial agent in the human body. Other indirect methods of therapy and/or prophylaxis, or immune system enhancement involving the administration of ethene are also provided for.

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3557529A (en) 1967-03-17 1971-01-26 Linde Ag Process and apparatus for the simultaneous production of acetylene and ethylene
US4692179A (en) 1982-05-03 1987-09-08 Advanced Extraction Technologies, Inc. Process for using alkyl substituted C8-C10 aromatic hydrocarbons as preferential physical solvents for selective processing of hydrocarbon gas streams
WO1989012794A1 (en) 1988-06-24 1989-12-28 Advanced Extraction Technologies, Inc. Low pressure noncryogenic processing for ethylene recovery
US5220097A (en) 1992-02-19 1993-06-15 Advanced Extraction Technologies, Inc. Front-end hydrogenation and absorption process for ethylene recovery
WO1993017081A1 (en) 1992-02-19 1993-09-02 Advanced Extraction Technologies, Inc. Absorption process for ethylene and hydrogen recovery
WO1994000551A1 (en) 1992-06-25 1994-01-06 The Anchor Brewing Company (Nz) Ltd. Process for altering flavour of food products
WO1995017214A1 (en) 1993-12-23 1995-06-29 The Anchor Brewing Company (Nz) Ltd Ethene as a sterilizing agent

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3557529A (en) 1967-03-17 1971-01-26 Linde Ag Process and apparatus for the simultaneous production of acetylene and ethylene
US4692179A (en) 1982-05-03 1987-09-08 Advanced Extraction Technologies, Inc. Process for using alkyl substituted C8-C10 aromatic hydrocarbons as preferential physical solvents for selective processing of hydrocarbon gas streams
WO1989012794A1 (en) 1988-06-24 1989-12-28 Advanced Extraction Technologies, Inc. Low pressure noncryogenic processing for ethylene recovery
US5220097A (en) 1992-02-19 1993-06-15 Advanced Extraction Technologies, Inc. Front-end hydrogenation and absorption process for ethylene recovery
WO1993017081A1 (en) 1992-02-19 1993-09-02 Advanced Extraction Technologies, Inc. Absorption process for ethylene and hydrogen recovery
WO1994000551A1 (en) 1992-06-25 1994-01-06 The Anchor Brewing Company (Nz) Ltd. Process for altering flavour of food products
WO1995017214A1 (en) 1993-12-23 1995-06-29 The Anchor Brewing Company (Nz) Ltd Ethene as a sterilizing agent

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
International Agency for Research on Cancer: Monographs of . . . , vol. 60, 1994, Ethylene, as published by World Health Org.

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WO1997042979A2 (en) 1997-11-20
EP0914091A2 (en) 1999-05-12
JP2000511520A (ja) 2000-09-05
AU2716097A (en) 1997-12-05
ES2207728T3 (es) 2004-06-01
DK0914091T3 (da) 2004-01-26
HK1017269A1 (en) 1999-11-19
EP0914091B9 (en) 2004-10-27
NO985306D0 (no) 1998-11-13
EP0914091B1 (en) 2003-09-10
HUP9904189A2 (hu) 2000-09-28
DE69724793T2 (de) 2004-07-15
RU2201748C2 (ru) 2003-04-10
CZ363698A3 (cs) 1999-06-16
NO985306L (no) 1999-01-14
KR20000011047A (ko) 2000-02-25
CA2254126A1 (en) 1997-11-20
WO1997042979A3 (en) 1998-02-19
BG102974A (en) 1999-09-30
EP0914091A4 (en) 1999-09-15
HUP9904189A3 (en) 2001-02-28
CN1218397A (zh) 1999-06-02
PT914091E (pt) 2004-02-27
BG64298B1 (bg) 2004-09-30
ATE249202T1 (de) 2003-09-15
PL329843A1 (en) 1999-04-12
DE69724793D1 (de) 2003-10-16
AU750989C (en) 2003-07-24
AU750989B2 (en) 2002-08-08

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